Nicosia, Cyprus. Intensive checks to tackle delinquency linked to lambradjies (Easter bonfires) will begin immediately, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said on Tuesday. Offenders may face arrest, and parents of minors may also be held accountable where offences arise.
Government plan and enforcement measures
Fitiris said the aim was to ensure the traditional custom remains a celebration. He said a joint plan with local authorities and emergency services would be implemented to prevent the situation from escalating.
He referred to incidents in previous years, including a fatality, and said youth delinquency had increasingly manifested around the lambradjia tradition “in a very negative way”. Fitiris said checks and actions would begin from Tuesday to limit the phenomenon and ensure it is “truly a celebration and not a danger”.
Municipalities cite recurring neighbourhood problems
Union of municipalities president Andreas Vyras said concerns had been raised with the minister over “serious problems” emerging in many neighbourhoods soon after Christmas, with unlawful behaviour often occurring under the pretext of the bonfire custom.
Vyras said that in some cases “lives are put at risk”, recalling incidents last year in Strovolos where flares were fired at police officers. He stressed the need for early and coordinated planning by police, the fire service and municipalities, particularly in areas where the most serious issues are recorded, adding that “human life is far more important”.
Parents to be held responsible in some cases involving minors
Asked whether parents would be arrested in cases involving minors, Fitiris said police had been instructed to proceed with arrests of underage offenders and to assign responsibility to parents in cases such as damage to public property.
Fitiris said the effort required responsible action and that delinquency must be addressed “by all available means”.
How do you think authorities can ensure lambradjies remain a celebration while reducing risks to public safety?